La Crosse, Winona-Rochester dioceses plan special commemorations

La Crosse to begin 'Year of St. Joseph;' both to honor Mary

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Catholic bishops of the La Crosse and Winona-Rochester dioceses will celebrate special prayer services and Masses Friday acknowledging St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In La Crosse, Bishop William Callahan will initiate the “Year of St. Joseph” during a live-streamed Mass at noon from the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman.
The year marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX’s decree that named St. Joseph Patron and Protector of the Universal Church. The diocese will celebrate the year through May 1, 2021.
In announcing the year, Callahan wrote, “Well, I sure do wish I could announce another form of joyful news: our release from the ‘lockdown’ we have endured because of COVID-19.
“We will endure our sequestration for another month! Yes, this means we enter May with fervent prayers to the Loving Mother of the Redeemer and Her Husband, our Diocesan Patron, and Patron of the Universal Church, St. Joseph,” Callahan wrote.
Callahan will open the year with Mass live-streamed at noon Friday, which also is St. Joseph’s feast day,
Winona-Rochester Bishop John Quinn of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester cited the fact that the bishops of the United States and Canada have joined to implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bishops will renew a consecration of the two nations to Mary, Mother of the Church.
“This consecration is particularly meaningful for our local Church, as the Diocese of Winona-Rochester has always recognized the special patronage of Mary, whose symbolism is present on our diocesan coat of arms,” Quinn wrote.
“I pray that Mary, Mother of the Church, with her loving child, might bestow a blessing of hope and comfort to all those struggling with the effects of COVID-19,” he wrote.

Quinn will participate in the consecration with a private liturgy on at 2:30 p.m. Friday, to be live-streamed on the diocese’s YouTube channel and Facebook page from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. All are welcome to join Bishop Quinn via live stream on the diocese’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.
A worship aid in English and Spanish is available at the diocese’s website.

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